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The U Street Neighborhood Association had its first meeting of 2011 on January 13th.  Topics covered included development project at 2221 14th St; Bar Pilar Expansion, new committee chairs, MPD Q/A session, and other development updates.

Please click "Read more..." below for the complete meeting minutes.

January 2011 • U Street Neighborhood Association 
General Membership Meeting Minutes
Thursday, January 13, 2011 • 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Source – 1835 14th Street, NW
www.ustreet-dc.org

Welcome and Introductions

• President’s Remarks, Christine Szathmary, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Jon is running meeting for Christine who had her baby last month.
  • Jon highlighted the purpose of U St. Neighborhood Assocation – from the bylaws.
    • Promote and maintain the Greater U Street Historic District of Shaw, Northwest, Washington
    • Enhance a sense of pride in the community
    • Provide educational opportunities for neighborhood children
    • Keep the neighborhood clean, quiet, safe, and beautiful
    • Promote social welfare
    • lessen neighborhood tension
    • Combat community deterioration
    • Provide planning services and advice
    • Provide environmental design information and advice
    • To act  as an information gathering and dissemination vehicle for the neighborhood
    • Improve and beautify the environment of the neighborhood
  • Jon shared some of his personal vision for U Street Neighborhood Association this year including
    • more face to face community forums with  residents, MPD, Developers, Government Agencies, and Midcity business association;
    • Information resource to community;
    • Informal brief Q/A with police at regular meetings;
      Speakers on topics of interest (example green development, alcohol licenses, etc);
    • Expand partnerships with other neighborhood associations (example Movie Series, other, special events, and community service opportunities).
  • Jon shared success of holiday party that was held at Marvin’s in December where current slate of officers was elected.
  • Jon presented a slate for committee chairs:
    • Green - Scott Pomeroy
    • Historic Preservation & Development – Sheryl Walters
    • Business Development – Tucker Gallagher
    • Public Safety – Co-Chair Sushupta Sudarshan & Brian Card
    • Friends of Harrison Recreation Center – Manisha Modi
  • Motion was made to appoint the current slate of committee chairs/co-chairs.  Motion passed.

Committee Reports and Discussion

• Public Safety, Sushupta Sudarshan & Brian Card, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Sushupta and Brian discussed current goals for years – improved community between community/MPD/Other DC government to improve safety; improved reporting out of PSA 305 meetings; and continued working with Councilmember Graham to increase number of foot patrols.
  • Sushupta and Brian discussed current stats for PSA 305 and most recent PSA 305 meeting – which are on the www.ustreet-dc.org website.
  • They reported that while overall crime decreased from 2009 (1,220 incidents) to 2010 (990 incidents) there have been increases in homicide, sex abuse and burglary.
  • Sushupta and Brian also reported that Metro Transit Police came to the last PSA 305 meeting to address incidents on green line.
  • Sgt. Mark Jackson and Sgt. Kiern were there to address questions regarding PSA 305.
  • They discussed two tactical units that are working on Burglary and Robbery.  These tactical units are plain clothes, and MPD.
  • When asked about a recent sexual assault on the 2200 block of 12th St MPD said they can’t speak to details on sexual assault but believe that it is a isolated incident.
  • They gave details on armored car attempted robbery at 14th/U to the cricket store, which occurred January 5th.  Suspects were arrested.
  • MPD stated that there have been no robberies since Dec 24th perhaps due to tactical units.
  • When asked about reported incidents at Harrison Recreation Center – MPD said that it appears that at times there are some folks smoking there, but no drug sales.
• Treasurer’s Report, Sharon Dreyfuss, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Christmas Party Silent Auction $535 dollars raised at Marvin’s.
  • Starting balance as of December 1st was $16,847.96; receipts of $295 from auction and $45 Dues along with Holiday Party costs of $115 provided a final Balance of $17,072.96.
  • Harrison Recreation balance is $1,112.64
• Historic Preservation and Development, Sheryl Walter, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Sheryl stated for the upcoming year she will focus on getting notice out on actions for historic preservation review board.  She would like to get sense of what folks would be interested in hearing more about – please let her know.
  • Sheryl introduced Paul Millstein (Douglas Development – Construction lead)  to talk about their development at 2221 14th St NW.  14th Street.  See their website for details -http://www.douglasdevelopment.com/files/pdf/63_7082915.pdf
    • Paul introduced the architect Sasha Rosen (from DC firm R2L) who presented the development plans for this site.
    • This site was the former auto dealer/shop with the prominent “Black Family Reunion” mural by G. Bryon Peck.
    • They will be putting in 30 units in building, 5 floors of apartments, with ground floor retail.  It will have one level of underground parking with 10 parking spaces.  They will be closing existing curbcuts, and parking entrance will be thru the alley.
    • They have asked for variance on parking, zoning requires 15 parking spaces, 10 is the best that they can do with size of the lot.  They are also asking for rear yard variance, and for relief on roof structures/height/set back.    Arts overlay allows 75 feet height with additional 8.5 penthouse.  To have elevator (required by American with Disabilities Act) for roofdeck they need more.  Additionally code requires penthouse to be all one height; Historic Preservation encouraged them to ask for variance so that some will be 10 feet some will be 18 feet.
    • They will have as much as possible planted green roof material.  Not pursuing LEED certification.
    • On 25th they are presenting to the board of zoning adjustments (BZA).
    • They have presented twice to ANC design committee, to the full anc, and meridian hill neighborhood association.
    • Most units will be 1 bedrooms ~ 600 Sq feet. Planned to be rental apartments.
    • Sheryl made a motion that U Street Neighborhood Association write a letter to BZA to encourage approval of special exceptions and variances discussed (number of parking spaces, size of parking spaces, width of the parking space access aisle, special exception roof – setback exterior wall, height of roof structure, variation in height; and rear yard width/court width.  [10/0/1] – passed.
    • They discussed current mural, they will be putting a mural on the southern portion of the building that will be a wall without windows (likely to be covered when southern property is developed.
  • Further discussion on other development projects included the Perseus project/YMCA project (1300 block of W St) demolition is underway.
  • District condos JBP project (1800 block of 14th St) demolition was supposed to begin Monday.  They will be invited to make a presentation at the U St NA.
  • Current building at 1438 U St (CADA Vez/Station 9) – has changed hands recently.
  • WMATA parcel where the 9th street flea market currently is located is up for bid and development again.
• Business Development and ABC, vacant, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Tucker Gallagher, new chair introduced John Snellgrove from Bar Pilar/St. X to discuss expansion plans for Bar Pilar (1833 14th St).
    • They will be adding the 2nd floor of the current building to add a seating area with 40 seats.  Will be expanding kitchen downstairs to accommodate.  They have a VA in place, which will be applied to expansion.  Expansion doesn’t effect arts overlay district – vertical expansion vs horizontal expansion.  They hope to have it open by springtime.  There will be no change to hours of operations.  Plan on closing up stairs when stop serving food.  They have a tavern license now, but food restrictions in VA are similar to restaurant.  They VA also has noise restrictions (taking out recycling bottles).
    • Based on Bar Pilar being a good neighbor already, a motion was made to write a letter of support for Bar Pilar for the purpose of expansion change to current license as presented.  [10/0/0] passed.
  • Tucker also mentioned a new business - American ice company (917 V St) – serving  barbecue/PBRs.
  • Tucker mentioned upcoming new businesses including
  • Tourchdown (which will replace current Momo’s) a new sports bar and loung; Brixton Pub (901 U St); and Blackbyrd Warehouse (2005 14th St/715 Florida).
  • Tucker also mentioned that the former MOVA lounge on P street is looking for a location in the U Street area.
  • Tucker also reported that  1409 playbill lease is up at the end of year, will be looking for u street corridor.
  • Tucker also reported that new restaurants include Rogue States (1931 14th St); Codmother (replacing Café Nema); Steakhouse and basement club (2001 14th St) by Policy and Local 16 owners; Ghion Restaurant and Loung (2010 9th St); and Pearl Dive Oyster Palace and BlackJack (1612 14th St) by restaurateur Jeff Black.
  • Rock it Again, a new vintage store will open in old Nana’s space.
• Green, Scott Pomeroy, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Jon presented updates (Scott not available for meeting) on living city block – eco-districdt on 14th & 15% U & V.  They held workshop last month.
  • The solar powered shared compactors – 2 compactors – trash/recycling in this block also are part of this.  This will go before public space committee on Jan 27th.  This should allow some dumpsters to be removed.
  • Jon talked about initiating tree planting projects – cherry blossom plantings – need to find locations, we plant ourselves.
  • He also mentioned a DDOT program to take areas covered by concrete and have concrete removed and put trees in place.
• Transportation and Parking, Cheryl Cort, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Jon presented for Cheryl who wasn’t available for meeting.
  • We will monitor proposed zonging changes to parking, biking,
  • Reeves center electric car charging station was installed
  • Kiosk at bus stop at 14th/U showing next bus coming was put in place.
  • Funding for 14th St Streetscape project may not have funding, and may get pushed off several years.
• Friends of Harrison Recreation Center, Manisha Modi, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Manisha dicussed current efforts and introduced Meredith (DC Cares) and Toni (Harrison site manager).
  • There was a Halloween party in October, and there will be a MLK Day of service on Monday.
  • Her goals for the year – bring different communities that use the center together.
  • Toni  Plater-McBride (DC Parks and Recreation site manager) discussed programs in the space including SAT prep, Young Mens’ group, kids doing homework.  She would like to do a lot more activities for the teen population, need more funding.
  • Question raised about increasing space at the center.  – Short term goal is to get grounds fixed, long term apply for grants to expand buildings.
  • Meredith (DC Care) – regional coordinator of volunteerism discussed MLK Day of Service where they will have 2000 volunteers, 24 will be working at Harrison recreation centers.  They will paint the entire inside of the Harrison recreation center.
  • They are starting a reading literacy program (reading circle) in next weeks
  • Tony said that she is looking for volunteers, teaching hockey and tennis.
• Movies Series –
  • Jon asked for volunteers, will hold a working group meeting next month.  Theme will be movies filmed in DC.
  • Question was raised if there was a way to do something that would directed at kids before dark (since dark usually needs to put kids in  bed)

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm